Balchem spots healthy aging market opportunities for folate supplementation

Folate, or vitamin B9, is well-known for its role in prenatal health, but the science behind this vital nutrient is evolving. We explore the next wave of innovation in folate supplements with Lauren Eisen, senior marketing and business development manager at Balchem. She details the different types of folate and how its role in methylation supports key biochemical processes and promotes health at every stage of life. 

Eisen tells Nutrition Insight that folate plays an important role in methylation, the biological process that regulates gene expression. She says this makes the nutrient “indispensable” during periods of rapid growth, such as perinatal health. 

“But folate’s role extends well beyond that,” she underscores. “Balanced methylation is also central to maintaining cell health and the integrity of our genetic material. We want to live longer, so we should also live better.”

Eisen sees a clear innovation potential for folate in healthy aging, as recent studies suggest optimizing folate intake to support cellular health. “For adults over 50, about 10% of men and up to 30% of women don’t get enough folate from diet alone.”

Moreover, she notes that 16% of all US adults don’t get enough folate from their diet, rising to 27% for women. “Even with food fortification, we still see widespread gaps in intake, which makes supplementation essential.”

In addition to healthy aging and women’s health, she notes that folate’s role in regulating homocysteine levels means the nutrient can support healthy brain tissues, cognitive function, and cardiovascular health. Elevated homocysteine levels can be a risk factor for cardiovascular problems, and research has linked them to dementia and blood clots. 

Folate or folic acid?

Eisen cautions that folate is often used as an umbrella term for vitamin B9, with terms like folic acid and folate used interchangeably. However, to fully appreciate its impact on human health, she underscores the importance of understanding the biochemical differences of various types of folate — natural food folates, synthetic folic acid, and biologically active L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF). 

“Food folate comes from natural sources like dark leafy greens, beans, peas, and nuts. But many people don’t eat enough of these sources to meet daily intake needs,” Eisen highlights. 

Eisen says that 16% of all US adults don’t get enough folate from their diet, with sources such as leafy greens, beans, peas, and nuts.Meanwhile, folic acid is a synthetic but inactive form only found in supplements and fortified foods, such as cereal and pasta. “Since it is not biologically active, the body must convert folic acid through several steps.” 

“L-5-MTHF is the biologically active form the human body uses, particularly in tissues. Whether you consume food folate or folic acid, your body needs to convert it to L-5-MTHF.”

Eisen says this difference in bioactivity is crucial. “About 40% of the US population has a genetic polymorphism (MTHFR) that prevents them from completing that final conversion step. So even if they consume enough folic acid, they might not get the full benefit unless they supplement directly with L-5-MTHF.”

Balancing the methylation process

Genes carry instructions to build and maintain bodies, but Eisen explains that environmental factors — like diet, stress, and exercise — can change how those genes are expressed. 

“Methylation is essential for development and cellular differentiation,” she details. “Folate plays an indispensable role as a key supplier of methyl groups to help this process.” 

These methyl groups contain one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and are added to molecules like DNA, RNA, proteins, and phospholipids to support the methylation process. 

“Methylation has a structural role, which is crucial for the production of molecules such as DNA and RNA, common amino acids, and neurotransmitters,” adds Eisen. “It also has a functional role, like maintaining genetic stability and controlling which genes are expressed. Think of methylation like a genetic on/off switch.” 

Folate supplies methyl groups, which are crucial for methylation — the biological process that regulates gene expression.“In cellular health and healthy aging, that switch helps to determine what kind of cell is made and how various systems function, influencing our overall health and well-being.” 

Eisen explains that this balanced methylation process happens constantly — a billion times per second — accepting and donating methyl groups. Folate is a key player in this process, as it donates needed methyl groups. 

“Balanced methylation supports cell division and homocysteine metabolism. When we add methyl groups to these molecules, we’re helping in those cellular functions. Those are essentially the basic building blocks we depend on daily.” 

“I like to think of methyl groups as the body’s genetic blueprints — critical from conception through every stage of life.” 

Folate innovations

Last year, Balchem launched Optifolin+, a choline-enriched folate to support optimal cellular health across all life stages. It is designed to benefit women’s health from reproductive years through post-menopause and support heart and brain health. 

Eisen explains that this ingredient features bioactive L-5-MTHF to help fill the nutritional gap among adults. “Both folate and choline act as methyl donors, and this is the first choline-enriched folate of its kind.”

“It delivers a seven-time methyl group advantage over other folates and achieves 98% methylation capacity,” she underscores. 

“Cells begin to show signs of aging before we feel it. Global DNA methylation levels decline as we age,” says Eisen. To fundamentally support this through every life stage, she notes that Optifolin+ can help deliver critical methyl groups at the cellular level. 

“It also offers formulation advantages in stability and solubility,” she adds. “A recent National Institutes of Health study raised concerns about bioavailability and dosage accuracy in other folate forms, which sometimes fail label claims.”

In a recent interview, Lauren Eisen highlighted Balchem’s innovations in folate.“With added choline, this stable ingredient helps the industry to maintain efficiency and safety in folate supplements for cellular health across all life stages.” 

Uncovering research gaps

Although research on folate as a core vitamin is well-established, Eisen notes there is still more to learn, especially regarding modes of action. 

She urges a growing focus on clinical research targeting different life stages and demographics. “It would be great to have more direct investigations into how nutrients like folate support specific needs throughout the female life cycle.”

“Most clinical research in nutrition is male-centric and generalized to women, mainly due to funding limitations. But we’re seeing a shift in research and funding toward specific life stages, particularly in women’s health and menopause, which is exciting.”

At the same time, Eisen points out that consumers have greater access to information and are looking for reliable guidance. 

“It’s our responsibility as an industry to make that information transparent and accessible. We must collaborate with governing bodies and research institutions to drive meaningful innovation and education.”